The Best Players to never appear in a World Cup, Part Five

1- Thomas Doll

Former East German International Thomas Doll was one of the first players from the former East to be integrated into the new unified German National team in 1990/91, along with Matthias Sammer, Ulf Kirsten and Andreas Thom.

He was an integral part of the National team into the 1992 Euros in Sweden. Afterwards, he lost the confidence of National Team manager Berti Vogts during the 1992/93 season, who had grown impatient of Doll’s inconsistency with the National team. As a result he missed the chance to participate in the 1994 World Cup in USA.

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1992

(Germany’s Thomas Doll at Lazio, 1991/92)

2- Emlyn Hughes

1970s Liverpool skipper Emlyn Hughes is amongst the many English players of his generation who missed out in playing in the World Cup, since England failed to qualify for the 1974 and 1978 World Cups.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 14, February 1977

(Emlyn Hughes at Liverpool)

3- Ladislau Boloni

Steaua Bucharest’s Ladislau Boloni was a standout for Romania in the 70s and early-mid 80s.

He was born a few years too soon to be part of Gheorghe Hagi’s glorious generation that could qualify for World Cups with more ease.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 102, June 1984

(Romania’s Ladislau Boloni)

4- Johnny Metgod

Holland’s Johnny Metgod was an important member of the AZ’67 Alkmaar squad that won the Dutch League title (and reached the UEFA Cup Final) in 1981.

He was rewarded with a transfer to Real Madrid and eventually Nottingham Forest.

He missed the 70s glory years and in his prime, the Dutch National team was fading and missed on World Cup qualifications in the 80s.

Photo From: Voetbal International, November 29-December 4, 1982

(Johnny Metgod at Real Madrid, 1982/83)

5- Enzo Trossero

Independiente’s Enzo Trossero was actually part of Cesar Menotti’s World Cup squad in 1982 but saw no action. He participated in the 1986 World Cup qualifiers and helped Argentina qualify. However, Carlos Bilardo overlooked him for the main event.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 58, January 1985

(Enzo Trossero)